This question is basically for those who own both an 1/8 scale Ebuggy and 4wd SC or have owned both at one time or another. I have my list made out for my 1/8 scale Ebuggy order and I've been unable to pull the trigger. I really like the 4wd short course trucks too. There is about a $265 difference in pricing due to the 4wd SC Kit being cheaper than my Ebuggy of choice and the fact that I already have a 2wd SC and wouldn't need to buy batteries for the 4wd SC.

To me they feel very similar , see whats the bigger class in your area if your gonna race . The E buggy will have more raw power and is considered to be the F1 off off road and can run with the nitro buggies at most tracks , while 4x4 SCT is just catching on at most places and usually has smaller /less heats has less power because of battery restrictions and bodies/tires and wheels cost more with the SCT .

They are both a lot of fun , very fast , you have to be more precise with the buggy because its open wheeled though .....

Oh , Which one would I buy ? Thats easy ! .............BOTH !

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they drive very similar. look at the losi ten platform. ten-t and 810 buggy are off of the same platform. then the scte, again, same platform with a bit longer chassis. since i don't race i purchased an scte and converted it to a buggy. nearly the same specs as an 1/8th scale buggy, plus you can run a cheaper 550 system in it (i still run 1/8 scale electronics), and use your current batteries (if they have a high enough c-rating). similar specs but a few pounds lighter.
but if you're racing, thats a different story. and like you said, there's always the cost. the less expensive system will give you some cash for hop-ups

I am going to race. I've been racing at Family Hobbies so far this year and will be going to Trax 70 as well when it opens. The 4wd SC class is hit and miss at Family Hobbies this year with Ebuggy bringing 14 entries this past Weds night. Opening day had a full complement of 4wd SC's but they've been combining them with other stuff recently. I'm not sure what's going to be the most popular at Trax 70 since it hasn't opened yet.

imo, a 1/8 buggy will be more fun on a bigger track than a 1/10 4wd sct. but on a smaller indoor track the 1/10 sct will be more enjoyable. if i could only have one and the track was suited for it i would pick the 1/8

I really enjoy ebuggy and I also feel it is really going to take off this year in most areas of the country. 4x4 SCT looks like it would be really fun but I have honestly never seen more than one at a race track here locally since they came out.

When the indoor track was open in philly (many of the same guys that run at family and other tracks in the area) there were a full compliment of 4x4 SCT and 1/8 buggy, enough for two heats of both. Check and see what comes to the track for the next couple of weeks as the weather getting nice should bring more people out. I'd imagine, 1/8 will be a big showing at Trax 70, but 4x4 and 2wd short course will probably show up as well. Im looking for good things to happen there this year.

On a side now, what'd the track look like at Family right now? I'm going to try to come up one Wednesday night soon and run 2wd, but I wanna have an idea of how to setup the truck before I do, as it'll take me awhile to get there and racing will start shortly after I expect to get there.

buggy, way more durable and you can just mount a 1/10 SC body on it and have a way better sc truck than pretty much all the other ones. a bit heavier though so you need bigger and better batteries and a more powerful brushless system. worth it hough imo

I have a hyper 10sc, a Jammin for a while, and a few 1:8 buggies. I have more fun with the sc because it's cheap to fix, less maintenance and cheaper all around. So i don't stress when if it does break.
It does drive like a buggy but doesn't have the handling, traction, or precision of the buggy, it's basically a lightweight buggy.

I like the buggy because it's less forgiving and pushes my driving skills a little more.

Tuning options are pretty close between the two. My hyper has sweet a-arms that make it sit lower than other sc trucks and seems to handle better thank others.
You can get the same speed out of a 4wd-sc but it loses control easier due to lack of weight.

Like others have stated, a lot depends on your local rc community. Do you have friends that race? if so what are they racing?

a buggy will fly better than a sct on a windy day. the body can be a pain in the wind ( so to speak)

This is actually a big deal for me. My 2wd SCT can really give me a hard time even when a light breeze is blowing at the track. I wish I could afford both but, that isn't the case. So far it looks like the 1/8 scale is going to be the one. I just have to get past the fact that it's going to cost me close to $1k for what I want.